Healthy Minds


Levels of Explanation
All mental disorders can be explained according to the 4 levels. Below is a general description of how the 4 levels relate to mental disorders

  • Biological
    • The biological and chemical processes involved in the behaviours of mental disorders
  • Basic Processes
    • The psychological processes involved in developing or avoiding mental disorders
    • Learned responses as a result of mental disorders (operant conditioning, etc.)
  • Person
    • Individual differences between people that can explain why some people are more prone to disorders than others
    • Personality types/traits that are conducive to some mental disorders (anxious, timid personalities more likely to contract anxiety)
  • Socio-Cultural
    • The influences of other people in the development and avoidance of mental disorders

Depression

Symptoms
  • Loss of enjoyment from activities that used to give pleasure
  • Negative thinking of oneself
  • Constant worry
  • Social withdrawal
  • Fatigue and difficulty in getting sleep
Causes
  • Imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Low self-esteem
  • Thinks one is depressed due to feeling of weakness